Thanks all.

Agree 100% the folk at A&E and the stroke unit were fab, apart from doing a BP and glucose test every 2 hrs especially when I was hanging out of my @rse trying to catch some Zs!

All the the test results came back negative with nothing found and feeling fine right now kind of makes the whole thing a bit surreal but the biggest issue now is convincing Mrs Woman that I can go for a ride on my own.

For the mo it will be gentle spinning on Zwift with no attempts at AdZ ……just yet!!

Thanks for the insights all.

Indeed my leg didn’t seem to know what to do, which I found the most confusing, not to mention I couldn’t lift my arm and was very heavy.

I’m up to speed with the medical side of things, 14 days aspirin followed by Clopidogrel ad infinitum including statins to lower cholesterol.

My main point, which I should have made clearer, is what could the future hold in terms of riding, intensity, endurance etc.

Not to mention Mrs Woman having a say.

Interesting times ahead!!

40 is really no age at all, I would stop fixating on that for a start.

I was in same position at the start of COVID, although I’m just over 50 (so even less time to go then you) but a chance visit to the GP about chest pains spotted high blood pressure and possible angina, this followed with a cardiology trip for an MRI which revealed a slight thickening of the outgoing side, (cant remember the name) but this was all linked to being overweight (130kg), crap diet, way too much boozing and very little exercise. Job is ok though can be a bit stressful at times but doesn’t help. This all made me seriously anxious as its a wake up call I wasn’t expecting

But as others have said you can overcome your concerns and come out the other side better for it.

I found that having easily achievable weekly or daily goals a step in the right direction based on a plan/objective. All the small things add up and DO make a huge difference. A positive mindset is 90% of the battle, the rest just follows. Then when you achieve reward yourself. Positivity makes everything flow. Involve those closest to you, as you will find these will become your biggest supporters

Have a plan!

I’m now 85kg and enjoying my biking more than ever. Not had a drink in over a year! (Never thought I could do that) and blood pressure is more or less back to normal with only 1 meds a day rather than the 4 I started with. Plus the wife cant get enough now!! ( cue! )

Go for it!

Dyfi – bad ass!

Antur

Hamsterley

I’m employed in the rail industry.

I never take the train!

Depeche Mode. Speak and spell. Excellent debut album.

Anything by Joy Division. Curtis RIP

No Jeremy Kyle it….true entertainment then.

We could then hear the unfabricated fabricated truth….er I think!

Excellent.

Next…a bivvy!

Is anyone that interested or really care?

More important things going on to be concerned about!!

As long as your nipples are further forward than your belly button, you’ll do

4ft 10 = 58in / 2 = 29in
Waist – 26in
Important bits = 38in

Does the BMI calculator take this into account or am I missing the point!!

Now then where did I leave me bike?

My missus is 4ft 10, but with a pair of hooters bigger than her waist, how does that affect things?

Anyone?

Ban mobile ownership completely. It might actually improve communications skills, (especially in teenagers!)

The world managed fine before they were invented.

Are they really needed?

(Takes cover!)

Will probably moan about the fact that they travelled all that way, don’t like hot and/or spicy food and cant get British food whilst there?

Don’t get suckered into staying with promises of promotion, more pay etc, as you point out, this should have been done yonks ago and will never happen.

They just don’t need the inconvenience of the cost, recruiting etc.

Do it for yourself! You will feel so much better!!

I still my have Coiler 26 with BETD link and 66s up front which is still ridden a lot. You can keep your fancy pants carbon £10k wet dream, I’m still having fun!!

Had mine for about 6 months, done a lot of mixed riding. Nice and comfy with some big volume tyres and a carbon flat bar!!

It isn’t light but very stable when loaded. Brakes aren’t top draw but they do work really well, as does the gearing. Easy to spin out on fast descent but no real dramas.

I like it, as mentioned it’s a good fit between a gravel and proper mtb!

Works for me!

@IdleJon,noted about the volume of trails etc in the south, ridden a few over the past few years, you are right though about the number of riders which I guess could be viewed as a curse in itself, all depends what your riding preferences are: bike park/centre, unofficial trails (thats a whole discussion topic on its own!!).

@finephilly, Llandod still has its choice selection of users, a very small minority! But is no different to any other part of the UK now with similar social and behavioural issues.

For the most part its great here, fantastic scenery, great riding and nice people (mostly!)

I live outside Llandod and moved here 18 years ago. Sure each area has its issues, common theme is that everyone who has lived around here since birth seems to know everyone else and their business, (I have found that it pays to keep opinions and social media posts fairly neutral, same goes for revealing your own business and not be too open with it etc for this very reason). I think that when you choose your area to live do so with an open mind and leave the pre-conceived ideas behind, like a lot of the comments already, the same problems in South Wales exist elsewhere in the UK.

I have found that if YOU make the effort to get to know folk and want to fit it, (which you’ve done already) then you shouldn’t have a problem. One of my best friends now is a Welsh speaker who enjoys slagging the English off over a pint (in Welsh of course) but I trust implicitly. (Could be said he didnt have any friends before I showed up?)

As for the biking here in mid Wales, sure it doesn’t have the density of trail centres, (great if you like those) but rides from my front door can take in umpteen miles, see no one and the natural trails and isolated feeling can be second too none.

That said will be at Nant in the next few days, between conf calls! :-)

I have recently bought a Veho Muvi K2 4K (cries of nay from the fashionistas and gotta have what Joe has next door) for the princely sum of £69.00 on eBay from cameracentreuk, performance is good, picture quality is excellent, bit fiddly to use, (especially with sausage fingers!) but compared to the price of a GoPro, I can live with it getting broken.

SD card storage max is 64GB so can be a bit limited if you are planning a long ride etc, but works fine for me, also all comes in a nice plastic storage box with multiple mounts, detachable screen etc.

Think the retailer is on Amazon as well, so bonus!

?

Its sucks for sure! But as others say if you are single with no ties then why not take the opportunity, you never know what might be on the other side of the hill.

I for one, missed a similar opportunity a few years ago where I was offered work in Sweden, relocation paid for, family paperwork sorted by firm etc, but turned it down due to the uncertainty and probably fear of the change.

Anyway, a pal of time of mine took the job and has not looked back since, family settled in Sweden, standard of living way in excess of what we get in the UK etc. I get that circumstances are all different, but what do you have to lose?

Thanks, good to know!

I have an Inbred 18″ which is just right for me with an 80mm stem, would this seem ok for me? I dont think that a 16″ would be, but as you say very little in the sizing!

I’m not big on major rough stuff, more of the all day, trail type stuff but want something stiff enough to chuck about on twisty stuff and can hold its own on the descent, is there any noticeable (sic?) flex?

Certainly food for thought………..hmmmmm! I like it!

Great info thanks!

What about the fork, any suggestions on travel, I’m thinking on a 120mm kind of in the middle on an 18″, Im 6′ but am not very leggy, (29in inside leg)!